Budget Presentation to a Focus Group

1. Budget Presentation to a Focus Group Community Service Organization

2. Presenters Martha Granados-Lemons, Raisin City Debra Haney, Kerman USD Pam Holland, Fresno COE Suzanne Johnson, Pacific Union SD Patrick Kraft, Clovis USD

3. Outline of Presentation What is Our Focus Key Words or Phrases Political Considerations Addressing Concerns Sensitive Issues Language Questions and Answers Presentation Materials

4. What is Our Focus The district has a healthy budget with many varied programs for all types of students (e.g. performing arts, athletic, pep and cheer, agriculture….) Detail the basic needs of some of the children in our district

5. What is Our Focus We are a great district with good things to offer to the students and the community Where we can partner with the service organization to benefit the students and the community – i.e. technology needs for the Library Media Center

6. Key Words or Phrases Every group has its own interest, and it is critical to make sure you reach that interest. Some key words might include: API, Athletics, Music, Programs, Facilities…. Some of our children are in dire need for the most basic of necessities

7. Key Words or Phrases The words should be positive yet honest The goal is to engage their interest and sympathies so that they will pass on your message to others, be willing to devote time and money to district-sponsored projects – i.e. Lifelong users of technology

8. Political Considerations Stability and accomplishments of the governing board and superintendent Support from local government officials The local newspaper writes positive articles about the district Local television news coverage The support received by other community organizations

9. Political Considerations Enhance community assets Improve communication between community and the district

10. Addressing Concerns of a Community Service Group What does the district do with all the money they receive? District would include slide showing funding to kids versus funding for administration and teacher salaries District would demonstrate some of the classroom technology available to students District would discuss access to library and other grade level literature available to students

11. Addressing Concerns of a Community Service Group Building of and use of facilities Show pictures, give timelines, funding sources to pay the costs Programs – such as music, agriculture, athletics, clubs, pep and cheer, etc… Show pictures or have a live performance from the students API scores (academics) Student needs for basic items that can not be paid for out of district funds

12. Addressing Concerns of a Community Service Group Are there enough funds to complete the project and what is the timeline What support will the board and superintendent give to the project

13. Sensitive Issues and How to Handle with Care Salaries might be a concern that would need to be explained. Show what the district gets for the money in terms of number and types of employees Graduation rates or API scores that are not perceived to be high enough. Outline what the district is doing to continually address this concern

14. Sensitive Issues and How to Handle with Care Facilities may not always be available for community use. Explain the order of priorities and the reason for rates that are charged Student absenteeism and the resulting issues of crime and dropouts. List the resources the district is using to fight the problem. Explain how much a lost day of attendance costs the district

15. Language – the Power of the Spoken Word Non-technical terms to explain budget basics Use English or language spoken by the majority of the audience Monitor the audience for boredom or lack of understanding Emphasize the positive Use encouraging stories of how money was well-used

16. Questions and Answers Ask questions of the audience to engage them about their own issues Have a multi-member diverse panel available to address questions that are specific to their area of expertise Encourage site visits that are scheduled in advance to point out areas of need or success

17. Handouts and Presentation Materials PowerPoint Presentation handouts and an offer to send the slide to the community service group president for distribution to other members District web page tour Video of sites, buildings, student and staff interviews

18. Handouts and Presentation Materials Pictures of current and future sites One page key demographics sheet One page listing of donations from all service organizations within the past several years Include information that they requested to know about

19. Handouts and Presentation Materials We would include easy to understand bar graphs and pie charts Indicate most new funding sources are restricted by State and Federal governments Indicate largest expenditure is teacher salaries and overall 85% of budget is salary and benefits

20. What Materials Not to Include in Presentation Technical reports (i.e. SACS) Photographs that are not clear or easy to see Packets of too much information that they are not likely to read